Pros and Cons of Studying Abroad

Are you thinking about studying abroad? Make sure you weigh the pros and cons before you buy your plane ticket!

Pros:

1. Experience culture—Wherever you go, you’ll be experiencing a different way of living and a culture that is likely radically different from your own, which is great. You can try new foods, listen to new music, and get life experience you simply can’t get any other way. 

2. Make new friends—You will meet lots of new people, and because this is a unique experience, you’re more likely to appreciate friends, and the bonds you make will likely be lifelong.

3. Learn a language—The benefits of learning a new language are innumerable, and what better way to learn than to be completely immersed? You can practice on native speakers. 

4. Find career opportunities—You’ll return from your trip with a new perspective on culture, language, and education, and all of these are very attractive to employers. Many students also love their host country so much that they look for work there.

5. Explore education options—Other countries are sure to have different very styles of education, so by choosing to study abroad, you’ll be able to look at your major in a different way.

Cons:

1. Homesickness—While you might be used to living away from home while in college, being a whole country or even continent away will likely feel much farther. Not being able to go home for a weekend or the holidays can be difficult, but using video-calling programs like Skype and FaceTime can make homesickness more manageable.

2. Loneliness—If you aren’t able to settle in and make friends fairly soon after arriving for your program, it can be a very isolating experience. If you aren’t sure if you’re ready to put yourself out there by joining groups, attending socials, and initiating conversations, then studying abroad may not be a good choice for you. 

3. Expenses—Once you factor in flights, a place to stay, travel money, and living costs, it’s easy to see that the expenses of studying abroad can quickly add up. Unless you’ve been planning your trip and saving up money for a while, you’re likely to spend most of the rest of your time at school just scraping by.

4. Falling behind in your studies—We can all fall behind in our studies once in a while. When you add in being in a brand new country at a brand new school, it seems that much more likely to happen. It can be difficult to stay motivated when you’re dealing with so many new things, and it’s also important to remember that the class schedules and syllabuses won’t be exactly the same as back home, so it’s possible to miss things.

There’s a lot to consider when you’re thinking about studying abroad, but if you decide it’s for you, you’ll get a wonderful experience of the kind you really can’t get anywhere else. For more information on studying abroad, click here. 

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services